A pilot study on the clinical efficacy of Solanum xanthocarpum and Solanumtrilobatum in bronchial asthma

Solanum xanthocarpum and Solanum trilobatum are widely used to treat respir atory diseases in southern Indian traditional medicine (Siddha). A pilot st udy was undertaken to investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of a sin gle dose of the above herbs in mild to moderate bronchial asthma. The respi ratory functions (FVC, FEV1, PEFR and FEF25-75%) were assessed by using a s pirometer prior to and 2 h after oral administration of 300 mg powder of wh ole plant of either S. xanthocarpum or S, trilobatum. Standard bronchodilat or drugs, salbutamol (4 mg) and deriphylline (200 mg) were used for compari son. Treatment with either S. xanthocarpum or S, trilobatum significantly i mproved the various parameters of pulmonary function in asthmatic subjects. However, the effect was less when compared to that of deriphylline or salb utamol. No untoward effects were reported during the study. The results of the present study confirm the traditional claim for the usefulness of these herbs in bronchial asthma. More detailed studies are required to investiga te the mechanism of action and therapeutic utility of S. xanthocarpum and S . trilobatum. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.